Everybody has these kind of days... Life just seems too hard. You don't know why you bother to look at the bright side (sigh). Blame PMS, the economy, your inability to lose 5lbs, the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh for not solving the world economic woes yesterday, or the fact that starting a business is well, hard. Then yesterday something happened, and I found my reason for hope in the oddest place. It was in the form of a gourmet hot dog place, Frank. This was an unexpected rainbow in my obviously down day and in one bite the angel's sang from heaven and light shown down on our small family unit.

Our dinner dilemma began, as always, trying to figure out where the heck we were going to eat. We were dressed way casual, even for Austin, and didn't feel like we had many options. So, I jokingly recommended Spaghetti Warehouse. Brent called me out on my suggestion and as we began walking towards our destination I was frantically searching for somewhere, anywhere, else to go. Spaghetti Warehouse is just one of those places that never give you a good experience. Even though it is moderately inexpensive, it isn't worth what you pay. In my unassuming opinion, the only joy is on the occasion when you need to sit in a trolly booth in the middle of a restaurant and there IS something to be said for that, when you need it. However, I was in no mood for a trolly or the character that the warehouse has to offer.So, eyes searching, I saw Frank. I had been meaning to revisit since our first meal there right after it opened and I'm so glad we did!

Grilled corn with cilantro, lime, chili and cheese. With a dash of fluffly clouds, rainbows, love and world peace.

Now, for a mostly vegetarian eating individual, a hot dog/sausage place is an unlikely and unexpected place for me to find joy. I ordered a bowl of vegetarian chili (which isn't a stand alone item on their menu but they make homemade veggie chili for their veggie dog) and Brent ordered the "corn cup". The moment I took a bite, for a moment, my soul was at peace due to this astoundingly delightful, bursting with flavor, cup-o-corn. I will crave this corn cup and I generally hate corn and everything that it means to society, so it was an even more unlikely life lifter. (Thanks to King Corn and other food documentaries and books I've read, I jokingly/seriously blame corn for the world's problems.) Anyways, now isn't the time for that rant.Frank is in a great little spot located by Cuba Libre, where Starlite formerly resided. I am thankful for this new addition to Austin's downtown scene as a more casual yet still delectably delightful, gourmet but not pretentious restaurant. We had a chance to talk to one of the owners, Geoff Peveto. Geoff told us how him and his partner Daniel Northcutt got started. They traveled back and forth to Chicago to Hot Dougs for research. He elaborated on how they make most of their sausage's on site and that they are about to open a store in the back with many local and handmade products! Yea! They also have an eye out for the vegetarians out there and are working to expand that menu. I am anxious to get an opportunity to meet the other owners: Jenn Northcutt, Yancy Peveto and Michael Cerrazas and commend them on the great atmosphere and awesome concept. I also hope to meet with Executive Chef Mattt Helms and his wife Susan. Not knowing how to say this without sounding dirty... I'd really like to see how they stuff some sausage.To sum it up: yummy, unpretentious, cool atmosphere, super reasonable, and very delicious!

Erin was a super cute hostess who let me take a picture of her cool kicks. She did some digging to find these replica prefonataine sneakers. Brent, as per usual, shook his head in disbelief as wasn't aware of these culturally iconic shoes. Whatever they are, they are super cool. In my opinion, if you could embody the spirit of Frank in a women's shoe, this is it.